Meet Sierra Kruse

We recently connected with Sierra Kruse and have shared our conversation below.

Sierra, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I’m a writer and a performer. Growing up I was a child actor. I took so many no’s at such a young age that I think it really cemented resilience for me. It’s this narrative of, if I want to do it I’ll do it, and if this isn’t the exact time that happens I will keep looking for the opportunities I’m interested in.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I like to make art about my life as a part of Chicago’s queer community. With my writer’s collective, Cloud Community College I hold monthly workshops and publish zines. This summer my big project was an adaption of “Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions” that I put up at Bramble Theatre in Chicago. My jobs covered a wide range of things. I led the devising and writing of the script and performed in the final production.

I just published a book I am incredibly proud of with Ghost City Press called, “god, angels and waitresses” available on their website. The poems cover the themes of my early twenties; the service industry, friendship, and my god complex. There is a good amount of Flo Mili in there.

Upcoming I have a short film coming out in the new year called, “Magical Girls” that I’m very excited about. It’s a queer coming-of-age film I acted in. The film is written and directed by one of my favorite artists and collaborators in the city, Laney Naling. I can’t wait for people to see it.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Everything is easier when you have a support network. My biggest blessing in my art has been to collaborate and lean on those around me. They often have the answers when I do not. I often have the structure that pushes us forward. So, friendship.

My work is made better when I engage with the world. This engagement looks like mutual aid, time with nature, and an openness to people. Generally, curiosity and availability to follow what is interesting will get you far.

And then finally, kindness. Being a good person is more important than being a good artist. Your art will tell on you.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

Ask me questions and listen to my answers. I am very lucky.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theoldestbabyintheworld.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=substack_profile
• Instagram: @blushing247
• Twitter: Sierra_Kruse
• Other: Buy my book of Poems! https://ghostcitypress.com/2024-summer-series/gods-angels-and-waitresses

Image Credits

Photo Credits:

Maddie Mette

Sam Tucker

Ren Picco-Freeman

Book C0ver by Megan Moore